Civilization

Director: Reginald Barker, Walter Edwards, David M. Hartford, Jay Hunt, Thomas Ince, J. Parker Read, Raymond B. West Reginald Barker, Walter Edwards, David M. Hartford, Jay Hunt,

Overview

With American opinion divided over the European war in 1915, no fewer than three major motion pictures were conceived with anti-war messages in mind: J. Stuart Blackton's The Battle Cry of Peace, D.W. Griffith's Intolerance and Thomas Ince's Civilization. Set in the mythical kingdom of Wredpryd, Civilization begins with war spreading through the land. Inventor Count Ferdinand (Howard Hickman), against the wishes of his pacifist fiancee (Enid Markey), agrees to commandeer a submarine against the enemy. When his sub blows up, the Count is rescued from eternal damnation by the spirit of Jesus Christ, whose soul enters Ferdinand's body. Ferdinand returns to life, convincing the King of Wredpryd (Herchel Mayal) that he, the king, has divine powers. But Jesus, using Ferdinand as his vessel, shows the king that no man is above the laws of God--and also gives him an up-close-and-personal tour of the bloody battlefield. The King realizes the error of his ways, and declares an end to the battle. Extremely popular during its first year of release (1916), Civilization disappeared from view the moment that the US declared war against Germany. Though its direction is often credited to producer Thomas Ince, Civilization was actually directed by committee: among its helmsmen were Walter Edwards, Raymond B. West, Jay Hunt, Reginald Barker, J. Park Read and David M. Hartford.

Product Details

Release Date:	05/15/2018
UPC:	0089218806994
Original Release:	1916
Source:	Alpha Video

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Howard Hickman	Count Ferdinand
Enid Markey	Katheryn Haldemann
Herschel Mayall	The King of Wredpryd
George Fisher	The Christ
Frank J. Burke	Luther Rolf, the peace advocate
Lillian Read	A Young Child
Jerome Storm	His Son
J. Barney Sherry	The Blacksmith
Ethel Ullman	His Daughter
Kate Bruce	A Mother
Lola May	Queen Engenie
Charles French	The Prime Minister
Alice Terry	Actor
Claire Du Brey	Actor
Fanny Midgley	Actor

Technical Credits

C. Gardner Sullivan

Reginald Barker	Director
Walter Edwards	Director
David M. Hartford	Director
Jay Hunt	Director
Thomas Ince	Director,Producer
J. Parker Read	Director
Raymond B. West	Director
Joseph H. August	Art Director,Cinematographer
Dal Clawson	Cinematographer
Clyde de Vinna	Cinematographer
Devereaux Jennings	Cinematographer
Charles Kaufman	Cinematographer
Victor Schertzinger	Score Composer
LeRoy Stone	Editor
C. Gardner Sullivan	Screenwriter
Irvin V. Willat	Cinematographer